Iraq has declared three days of national mourning following the death of Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Ishaq al-Fayyad, one of the most senior and influential Shiite clerics in the Najaf religious seminary.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi announced the decision, describing the cleric’s death as a “painful loss” for Iraq and the wider Muslim world. Flags are expected to be flown at half-mast as the country observes the mourning period.
Grand Ayatollah al-Fayyad was regarded as one of the leading figures in contemporary Shiite jurisprudence and a key member of the scholarly establishment in Najaf. He was widely respected for his religious authority and long academic career, during which he trained generations of clerics.
Born in Afghanistan in 1930, al-Fayyad moved to Najaf at a young age to pursue Islamic studies, eventually becoming part of the city’s most influential circle of religious scholars. He was known for his expertise in Islamic law and for his stance supporting religious scholarship independent from direct political rule.
Religious and political figures across Iraq and the wider region expressed condolences, highlighting his role in promoting unity and supporting the stability of post-2003 Iraq.
The government’s announcement of three days of mourning reflects his significant standing in both religious and public life.
